-
ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanews/20 July) – The national government, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has allocated P18 million to rehabilitate and reforest 1,800 hectares of coastal wetlands in this city, an official announced.
Ben Acana, head of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)-West, said among the areas to be planted with mangrove propagules are the coastal areas of Sacol Island and Barangay Taluksangay, which have a combined area of 1,800 hectares.
Sacol Island is some 10 kilometers away from Barangay Taluksangay, one of the known fishing villages here. It comprises of four barangay namely, Landang Gua, Landang Laum, Busay and Pasilmanta.
Acana said the mangrove reforestation project will be implemented starting in August and is targeted to be completed by the end of this year.
Acana said the residents of Sacol Island and Barangay Taluksangay will be organized into People’s Organizations (POs) to undertake the mangrove reforestation project.
He said the mangrove reforestation is also one way of providing livelihood opportunity to the residents since they will be paid to plant propagules.
He explained mangroves are essential since it is one of the components of coastal marine ecosystem, which is the source of marine products and diverse fishery resources.
He further said that mangrove swamps protect coastal areas from erosion, storm surge and tsunamis. (MindaNews)